A Shrine To The House Cat
Steve and Mary visit the American Museum of the House Cat in Western North Carolina
Earlier this month, Mary and I spent a week in the mountains of Western North Carolina and took several daytrips around the area.
On our last full day, we visited the American Museum of the House Cat on US Highway 23/441 just south of Dillsboro, North Carolina.
Before we left home for our getaway, we did some web surfing to look for places to visit and that is how we learned about this unique roadside attraction.
When we arrived, we were greeted by this sculpture of a mama cat and her kittens.
Inside the museum itself, there’s a plethora of cat-themed memorabilia such as paintings, figurines, posters, and these cat mummies.
The museum was founded by Dr. Harold Sims, a retired biology professor who loves cats and has spent decades collecting cat-themed memorabilia. He not only founded the cat museum, but also Catman2 Cat Shelter, a no-kill/no-cage cat rescue center in nearby Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Dr. Sims kindly talked to us about the cat museum and his rescue program and even gave us a demonstration of one the old music boxes on display at the museum.
On the table next to the music box, there was a book of “cat hymns”. Mary was quite fascinated with this book and even sang one of them while Dr. Sims operated the music box.
Soon after we returned home, Mary found the book on Amazon and purchased a used copy from a seller in Boise, Idaho.
We even got to spend some time with “Mimi”, the housecat-in-chief.
“Mimi’s” owner brings her to the museum every day where she greets the visitors and otherwise does what cats do best… chill.
Last, but not least, we invite you to watch our latest YouTube episode of “Roadtrippin’ With Steve” featuring the American Museum of the House Cat, Dr. Sims, and Mary singing a “cat hymn”.
A very special thanks to Dr. Sims, “Mimi”, and the staff of the American Museum of the House Cat for their kindness and hospitality.
If you’re cat aficionados like Mary and I are, then you’ve got to make a pilgrimage to this unique shrine to our feline friends and please let them know we sent you.
That’s it for now. Thank you for reading, watching, and please check out the rest of our multimedia family at SublignaValley.us.
Until next time…
I'm so glad you enjoyed the cat museum! David and I went last winter and really loved it! <3 Thanks for letting more people know about this wonderful little place!